Fire crews are working against the weather this weekend as they continue to battle the βFreeman Fireβ which was sparked by lightning Thursday evening about 14 miles northwest of Oracle, authorities said.
The more than 28,000-acre fire prompted the evacuation of nearby residents, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management said Saturday.
The fire stayed quiet overnight Friday, allowing engine crews to patrol and monitor burnout operations that were conducted earlier in the day. Hand crews were expected to continue those duties Saturday on the wildfireβs north side as they work to keep it from spreading at Willow Springs and Freeman Roads, the agency said in a news release.
Additional resources are on scene working to keep the fire south and east of Freeman Road, north of Willow Springs Road, and west of power line road.
Smoke and flames were expected to be more visible to nearby communities as warmer temperatures likely increase fire activity.
Storm chances will increase through the weekend, creating a possibility of strong winds which could lead to extreme fire behavior, the department said.
Another mapping mission to estimate the size of the wildfire and gauge a plan of attack was planned Saturday.
The fire is the result of a lightning strike that occurred on Thursday near the Oak Well Camp. A second lighting strike about a mile away sparked a separate fire, and the two eventually merged.
More than 200 firefighters, air tankers and heavy equipment are being used to fight the blaze.
